Switzerland has an excellent transportation system. Switzerland is well connected by air, rail and road transport. One can take either of three modes of transport to travel in Switzerland.
Air Travel
All services are operated by SWISS. Domestic air travel is fast but expensive, and with the exception of the Geneva to Zürich flight, many businesspeople prefer to travel by rail or road.
Railway network
Rail transport is one of the preferred modes of travel in Switzerland. Trains provide excellent connecting services to different parts of the city. Train services are provided by Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB) and many other operators.
Use of the Swiss Pass is a superb way to view the scenery, although mainline services are geared to the needs of the hurried business traveler. Trains run at least hourly from the major centers and there is a country-wide timetable of regular services. There are dining cars on many trains, and snacks and refreshments are widely available.
Independent railways, such as the Rhätische Bahn in the Grisons and the Berner-Oberland-Bahn, provide services in certain parts of the country. The SBB has introduced specialized cars for disabled people using wheelchairs. Facilities include a lift for wheelchairs, a specially adapted WC and radios adapted for people with hearing difficulties.
There are also a large number of mountain railways which are sometimes the only means of access to winter resorts. Some of these are attractions in their own right: the Gornergrat-Bahn in Zermatt is one of the oldest mountain railways and climbs to a height of over 3000m above sea level, offering a spectacular panorama of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains.
Road Transport
Traffic drives on the right in Switzerland. Roads are good. Many mountain roads are winding and narrow, and often closed in heavy winter conditions; otherwise chains and snow tyres may be necessary.
Postal motor coaches provide a service to even the remotest villages, but under the integrated national transport policy few long-distance coaches are allowed to operate.
All taxis have meters for short and long trips, although it is advisable to settle on fare before you start your journey for longer distances out of town.
Car can easily be hired in Switzerland and is available in all towns from hotels and airports and railway stations.
If you plan to drive a car you should not less than 18 years of age. Seat belts are obligatory and children under 12 years must travel in the back of the car. Dipped headlights are compulsory during the day. Drink-driving fines are heavy.
It is advisable to stick to lane driving and adhere to prescribed speed limits, which are:
- 80kph (50mph) on country lanes;
- Max 120kph (75mph), min 60kph (37mph) on motorways;
- 50kph (31mph) in towns.
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